Topic

Nonviolent Direct Action

Strategic nonviolence is a rich tradition within social change movements, generating theoretical exploration, research, different group formations and tactical innovation. In this topic you’ll find case studies, manuals, inspiring quotes, training materials, and practical how-to-guides.

What is the Difference between Advocacy and Activism?

Find out the difference between advocacy and activism in this book chapter published in 2022 by Jane Johnston and Robyn Gulliver.

Book cover for Iron Will: Global Extractivism and Mining Resistance in Brazil and India

Mining Resistance in India

Community resistance has been astonishingly effective at stopping mining in India. This article draws from the book Iron Will.

Mining Resistance in Brazil

Community resistance has been astonishingly effective at stopping mining in Brazil. This article draws from the book Iron Will.

Street Medic Pro-Tips: Medical and First Aid Support at Protests and Direct Actions

Introduction Street medicine has its origins in the civil rights movements in the US in the late 1960s. Over the years Street Medics have evolved into an international informal community of people who provide medical and first aid support at protests and direct actions. The Melbourne Street Medic Collective (formerly MelbFACT) came together through the Occupy […]

Against Fascism and War: Pig Iron Bob and the Dalfram Dispute, Port Kembla 1938

The 1938 Dalfram dispute involved workers at Port Kembla in Australia striking and refusing to load iron on a ship bound for Japan in 1938.

Two protestors have chained themselves to the railway line.

Frontline Action on Coal FLAC: Ten Years on the Climate Frontline

Frontline Action on Coal (FLAC) have used blockades and non-violent direct action to oppose new fossil fuel projects in Australia.

Australian Campaign Case Study: Stop Adani, 2012 – 2022

Learn about the Divestment campaign case study in Australia which aimed to secure commitments from institutions to divest from fossil fuels.

Legal Guides for Activists about Protests

A collection of legal guides and resources for activists about protesting in Australia

Yellow triangle with words that read - vote for the franklin. The triangle is on top of an image of Rock Island Bend, a rock formation in the Franklin River. Steep rock cliffs with forest frame the river flowing towards a large rock outcrop that the river flows around.

Franklin River Campaign

Learn all about the successful Franklin River Campaign that took place in Tasmania in the 1980s. Includes videos & school resources.

people walking down the street protesting. At the front of the group is a young girl holding a loudspeaker. Next to her is a woman with both hands raised.

How to Organise a Protest March

This article from The Activist Handbook explains step by step how to organise a protest to draw attention to your cause.

Jail Solidarity and Supporting Prisoners

Guides, stories and studies on ways in which campaigners and protesters have responded to arrest and imprisonment for political activities.

Global Atlas of Environmental Justice: Environmental Conflicts in Australia

Access and learn about environmental conflict case studies in Australia and around the world using the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice.

A 89 year old woman wearing a hat, knee length coat and dress stands in bare feet in the water of a bay holding an umbrella standing in front of a pile of dumped sand being tipped out of a truck

Fighting for the Foreshore: The Campaigns to Protect Mounts Bay and Kings Park

Read an account of Perth’s first two major conservation campaigns, the preservation of Kings Park bushland and the survival of Mounts Bay.

an icon showing a battery with a positive and negative charge

How Emotions Mobilise and Sustain the Anti-Coal Seam Gas Movement

Introduction Emotions play an important role in mobilising people to take action on social and environmental issues. In this study of the anti-coal seam gas movement in regional Australia the authors found that anger about coal seam gas mining mobilised people to take action, but the combination of anger with the joy of connecting with […]